Talent First

A banker by profession, Karachi-born, Qatar-based Shehzad Bhanji launches his debut album, ‘Never Say Goodbye’, with his innovative guitar style making this 11- track album almost a mandatory primer for ’10s guitarists, with its ever changing chord progressions and Shehzad’s use of harmonic minor scales and, often, his improbably quick picking techniques, including the effective sweep-picked arpeggio [a sort of cross between strumming a chord and picking each note individually]. From the frenetic – such as “Rockin’ Blues” – to the quiet – like “Together Forever” or “Coming Home” – this album has talent written over it. Welcome to the Asian guitar age courtesy of Shehzad Bhanji.